Happily, Jennifer along with her spouse, John, aren’t averse to delivering impassioned monologues themselves – about, correspondingly, the reputation for monarchy and astronomy – if the feeling takes them.

Happily, Jennifer along with her spouse, John, aren't averse to delivering impassioned monologues themselves – about, correspondingly, the reputation for monarchy and astronomy – if the feeling takes them.

Jennifer Cook O'Toole along with her husband, John, making use of their young ones Maura, Sean and Gavin: ‘My means of learning these unspoken social guidelines is always to compose them straight down.’ Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

Jennifer Cook O'Toole along with her spouse, John, due to their kiddies Maura, Sean and Gavin: ‘My means of learning these unspoken social rules is always to compose them straight down.’ Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

M aura, nine, is a professional on ancient history. Her sibling Sean, six, specialises when you look at the classification of pets. Gavin, the youngest, has an encyclopaedic understanding of Spiderman – a little less high-brow, then again he could be just three. ...